Which turntable should I buy?

Thanks to all of you for your helpful replies, although Psychicanimal, I'll leave the Technics 'tables to you, thanks all the same ;-)

Artar1 -- thanks for the compliments, my system is only just starting to get really nice! To be honest, I didn't really consider a cartridge until the last few days of research and now I realize how important it is and how damn many of them there are out there! I guess I just assumed I'd get a table and arm and a mid-priced cartridge that seems popular (a) with the the 'table I get and (b) with Supratek owners. I have been chatting to slipknot1 prior to the arrival of his Chenin -- he has a Scoutmaster (with funky motor) of course.

My friend John (outlier) has a nice Teres and a Supratek so I know what they sound (and look) like together. I was hoping to not simply follow him down the Teres path though ;-) What's the wait time on a 245 these days, anyone know?

Anyway, I have some weeks and Christmas in England for more research and then I decide. Thanks so far guys!

Nick.

Oh, almost forgot, Artar1 -- what did you eventually settle on for a 'table? I searched around but can't find the answer.

Btw, the thread "$800 Cartridge Shootout and Upgrade Path" is brilliant, when I get more time, I'll read it. Cheers!

If your coming over to England, then there are a number of good choices. I have just changed my LP12 for an Origin Live Resolution, beyond your budget , but maybe not 2nd hand. I found mine with a legendary Illustrious tonearm fitted for about $2800. I have'nt stopped listening to vinyl since, detailed, musical, with great stage depth, it seems particularly good with classical. The Avid range have a great reputation here, beautifully engineered, but not cheap. Likewise the Nottingham analogue spacedeck and Michell gyrodeck are fine designs.
The problem for you colonial cousins over the pond, is the Dollar of course, at 2 to the pound, it makes buying UK or European kit prohibitive for you. For me of course it's the opposite. I bought a CJ Premier 17 for $2700 this year, it would have cost $8550 here!. Likewise I received a beautiful almost unused Koetsu Rosewood Signature yesterday for $1500, a new one here is $4300. Both of course bought from the Audiogon site.

Nick, unfortunately, the Creature is not in the $2500 performance range you're looking--it's in the $5,000. Form follows function. I've listened to many belt drives and in your price range they can't compete with a *linear* quartz lock circuitry--period.

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If you are willing to pay a little bit extra, go for a Micro Seiki RX3000 or RX5000. These TTs are built like tank with gun metal platter. You won't regret for owning one. BTW, you really need a strong HiFi rack to put the Micro Seiki on. My RX5000 (including the motor, 3 armboards with 3 arms, bronze matt, bronze record weight, and platter stabilizer) weights over 165 lbs, so to speak.